Digitrax PX112-6 Power Extender not Powering Motor

Model Railroader Electronics and DCC
1

I just installed a Digitrax SDXN136PS + PX112-6 combo into a re-motored HO scale SW1200. While the sound stays alive for several seconds the motor stops dead on the slightest interruption.

Thinking something was faulty with either the decoder or PX112, I opened a ticket with Digitrax and their support person insists that “engineering” claims that the power extender is only meant to power the sound…not the motor. I pointed out that the sales literature, instruction sheets, etc. all say “Keeps locos running during intermittent power interruptions resulting from dirty or bad track”. I went back and forth with him on the ticket and in the end he simply answered they’d have to correct the claim.

So, has anyone out there got a PX112-6 actually working as a keep alive for both motor and sound? I saw a post on another board from a few years ago that seemed to corroborate the fact the power extender only works for the sound. I’m kind of bumbed at having spent the money believing the extender would work just like the TCS or ESU keep alives I have in other units.

Thanks for any comments!

2

Unfortunately . the person you exchanged with is clueless as they come.

The power Xtender is for both sound and motor. I would call Digitrax and refer them to your tickets so they get this agent on the proper track.

Digitrax Help has a nasty habit of this type of false infomation and closing the ticket on us. Time someone talks to them direct. If the claim is wrong they have much work to do to correct ALL THE POWER XTENDER litterature and web page.

You clearly hit a dud rep.

Re check your PX-112-6 to make sure the wiring is proper at the connector level. The red and black wires should have a blank socket between them.

Marc

3

Hey thanks Marc. I’ll recheck the wiring again, and then I’ll call instead of reopening the ticket…maybe I’ll come across someone else!

4

Update:

According to a well-known, highly reputable dealer specializing in DCC, “Digitrax skirts around the MOTOR power issue by enabling it on their non-sound decoders and dis-abling it on their sound decoders”

So, like wow…that’s disappointing! I suspect there’s a design flaw.

Chris